By two years old, 75-85% of dogs have a periodontal disease caused by plaque accumulation. But the plaque or tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth is not your fault! Plaque is caused by the collection of saliva, food particles, especially carbohydrates and sugars, which are in large quantities in kibble, and bacteria on the teeth and at the gum line. 

Plaque is a soft, sticky film that forms on teeth, primarily composed of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. It is colorless initially but can turn yellowish or brown if not removed regularly. Plaque accumulation can lead to dental issues like cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. If left untreated, it can harden into tartar (dental calculus). It is more difficult to remove and may require professional dental cleaning by your veterinary team, which involves putting your dog under general anesthesia.

Plaque on dog teeth develops primarily due to the accumulation of bacteria and food particles along the gum line and tooth surfaces. 

Because dogs lack salivary amylase, enzymatic digestion of starch is not initiated in the mouth.  Thus, feeding a diet high in carbohydrates and sugars can contribute to plaque formation because these substances fuel bacteria.

Inadequate dental care, such as infrequent brushing or lack of species-appropriate chews, allows plaque to accumulate. Without proper cleaning, plaque can harden into tartar (dental calculus) over time.

Several dog breeds are more prone to poor dental health due to various factors such as jaw structure, tooth alignment, and genetic predispositions. 

Breeds with short muzzles, brachycephalic breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and Boxers, often have crowded teeth, which can make cleaning and maintenance more challenging, leading to increased plaque and tartar buildup.

Small dog breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Pomeranians are predisposed to dental issues due to their small mouths, which can result in overcrowded or misaligned teeth.

Greyhounds and dachshunds are known for having narrower jaws, leading to overcrowding and misaligned teeth.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to "early-onset periodontal disease," making them more susceptible to gum problems and dental decay at a young age.

Although periodontal disease is more prevalent in these breeds, it is a threat to all dogs, especially those on an ultra-processed diet that has a high level of carbohydrates. Feeding a species-appropriate fresh food diet that includes raw meaty bones is the first step to preventing periodontal disease. 

Common Veterinary Practices for Prevention and Treatment

Typical tongue actions, water drinking, or forced water spray do not easily remove dental plaque. Providing your dog chewing opportunities is a part of a good oral health plan for your dog. 

The veterinary community encourages oral health by recommending annual evaluations of the mouth, dental cleaning, daily brushing of the teeth, and providing dental chew treats designed to prevent plaque accumulation on the teeth. Most veterinarians also recommended that dogs be fed dry food to prevent plaque accumulation.

Veterinarians recommend annual dental exams and cleanings for dogs to maintain their oral health. These cleanings include thoroughly examining the entire mouth, including the teeth, gums, and oral cavity, to assess for signs of dental issues like plaque, tartar buildup, gingivitis, or dental diseases. The cleaning procedure typically includes scaling to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth, under the gum line, and polishing to smooth the tooth surfaces. Dental extractions are often necessary due to severe damage or infection.

Your dog must be fully anesthetized for a thorough examination and dental cleaning to be conducted safely and comfortably. 

Kibble is at least 50% carbohydrates, including simple sugars. Many commercially available dental chews are designed and manufactured to include hard ridges but are composed of the same carbohydrates used in kibble.  The accumulation of the excess carbohydrates and sugars on the teeth and gum line creates a perfect environment for bacteria growth, resulting in plaque formation.

Surveys revealed that only 10-20% of dog owners brush their dog’s teeth once weekly.

Switching your dog to a  fresh food diet with raw, meaty bones is the first step in establishing good oral health in your dog.  Raw dog foods contain enzymes that help protect animals' teeth and gums. These enzymes prevent tooth decay or other oral diseases, especially without sugars and starches.

Fresh food components are less likely to stick to teeth than ultra-processed kibble and canned food.

Including raw meaty bones in your dog’s food provides an abrasive action within the mouth and on the teeth that will scrape away plaque without harming the tooth enamel. 

In a 2013 study conducted by the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition, given a choice, dogs prefer a diet of 30% of the metabolizable energy (ME) from protein, 63% from fat, and only 7% from carbohydrates, which closely resembles the primordial diet of the wolf. Yet the commercial dog food industry produces food that is more than 50% carbohydrates.  

At the Feed Real Institute, we advocate for fresh food diets for dogs. The Real 6X Ancestral Diet™  consists of:

Aside from the nutritional benefits of raw meaty bones, they provide natural teeth and gum cleaning, exercises for your dog’s jaw, and mental stimulation. Raw, meaty bones to add to your dog’s bowl may include:

Large weight-bearing bones like cow femur or knuckle bones are recreational, not edible bones. They are a great source of jaw exercise and mental stimulation for your dog, but should only be provided while supervising your dog. They should only be offered as raw bones. Avoid giving your dog smoked or otherwise processed bones that do not have the protective covering of meat and connective tissue surrounding them. The femur bones should be discarded once your dog has removed all connective tissue and bone marrow. Knucklebone fragments should also be discarded once the chew session is complete.

Dogs’ saliva lacks amylase, the enzyme that begins the digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth of most mammals.

Switching your dog to a raw diet will eliminate the excessive carbohydrate levels in his diet.

Providing raw meaty bones to your dog’s diet provides a natural method of teeth cleaning and other oral health benefits.

Brady, C. (2020). In Feeding dogs: dry or raw? The science behind the debate.  Farrow Road Publishing.

The impact of home-prepared diets and home oral hygiene on oral health in cats and dogs | British Journal of Nutrition | Cambridge Core  

Lonsdale, Tom. (2001) Raw Meaty Bones: Promote Health. Dog Wise Publishing.

Raw diets for dogs and cats: a review, with particular reference to microbiological hazards  

Geometric analysis of macronutrient selection in breeds of the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris - PMC  

Did you know that periodontal disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs? Studies suggest most dogs develop some degree of dental disease by age three. And while bad breath or yellowish buildup on the teeth may be the first things you notice, problems can begin long before these changes become obvious.

Dental disease starts with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms naturally on the teeth. When plaque isn't removed regularly, it can harden into tartar and contribute to inflammation and infection in the gums and the tissues that support the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause pain, tooth loss, and other health complications.

The good news is that you can take steps to protect your dog's teeth and gums. Daily dental care, appropriate chewing opportunities, and thoughtful food choices can all support oral health. Start by understanding how plaque forms and how different foods and chewing habits affect your dog's mouth.

Plaque is a soft, sticky film of bacteria that naturally forms on your dog's teeth, particularly along the gum line. As bacteria attach to the tooth surface, they form a biofilm that contains saliva, bacterial byproducts, and trapped food particles. Plaque begins forming shortly after teeth are cleaned, making regular dental care important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Diet can influence the environment in your dog's mouth. Certain oral bacteria can use dietary carbohydrates to produce acids and other substances that contribute to dental problems. However, unlike humans, dogs rarely develop cavities. Their primary dental concern is periodontal disease, which develops when plaque bacteria trigger inflammation in the gums and surrounding tissues.

Dogs also lack significant amounts of salivary amylase, the enzyme that begins starch digestion in the human mouth. Although this difference between dogs and humans is interesting, it does not mean carbohydrates are the sole cause of plaque. Plaque develops in dogs regardless of whether they eat kibble, canned food, or a fresh-food diet.

When plaque isn't removed regularly, minerals in saliva harden it into tartar, also called dental calculus. Unlike soft plaque, which you can remove with brushing, hardened tartar usually requires professional removal. More importantly, bacteria can accumulate beneath the gum line, causing inflammation, infection, and eventually damage to the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

Are Some Dog Breeds More Prone to Dental Disease?

Although periodontal disease can affect any dog, some breeds are more prone to dental problems due to their mouth size, jaw structure, and tooth alignment.

Small breeds, including Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas, Maltese, and Pomeranians, are particularly susceptible. Their relatively small jaws can crowd teeth and make them hard to clean, allowing plaque to build up in harder-to-reach areas. Small dogs also tend to develop periodontal disease earlier and more severely than larger dogs.

Brachycephalic (short-muzzled) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus, often have crowded or rotated teeth because of their shortened jaws. These irregular tooth positions can create spaces where plaque and bacteria accumulate.

Dachshunds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also have an increased risk of periodontal disease and may develop dental problems at a relatively young age.

Any dog can develop periodontal disease, regardless of breed. Understanding your dog's individual risk factors can help you recognize potential problems early and take appropriate preventive measures.

Keeping Your Dog's Teeth and Gums Healthy

Preventing periodontal disease requires regular attention to your dog's teeth and gums. Although dogs naturally use their teeth to chew and tear food, these activities alone may not remove plaque effectively, especially along and beneath the gum line.

Veterinarians recommend regular oral exams to spot early signs of dental disease, including inflamed gums, tartar buildup, loose or damaged teeth, and other abnormalities. Because much of the damage associated with periodontal disease occurs beneath the gum line, problems may be present even when your dog's teeth appear relatively clean.

When professional dental treatment is necessary, your veterinarian will perform a thorough examination and cleaning under general anesthesia. This lets the veterinary team evaluate the entire mouth, take dental X-rays when needed, remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line, and polish the teeth. Severely damaged or infected teeth may require extraction.

Daily toothbrushing with a dog-safe toothpaste is one of the most effective ways to control plaque between veterinary visits. However, many dog parents find brushing difficult, especially if their dogs weren't introduced to it at a young age. Appropriate chewing opportunities can provide additional mechanical cleaning by helping remove some plaque from accessible tooth surfaces.&nbsp;

Food choices may also influence oral health. Despite the continued claims from many veterinarians, ordinary kibble does not reliably clean teeth just because it is crunchy. Chewing on suitable animal-based foods provides mechanical cleaning.

How Diet and Chewing Affect Dental Health

What your dog eats and how they eat it can influence their dental health. Although plaque naturally develops on teeth regardless of diet, food texture, chewing habits, and the amount of mechanical contact with tooth surfaces can affect how much plaque accumulates.

Many dog parents assume that crunchy kibble helps clean their dog's teeth. However, ordinary kibble often breaks apart when bitten, providing limited scraping action along the tooth surface, particularly near the gum line. Some dogs even swallow kibble with very little chewing.

Carbohydrates are another consideration. Many conventional kibbles contain substantial amounts of starch, which helps maintain their structure during manufacturing. Although some oral bacteria can metabolize carbohydrates, plaque formation is a complex process involving bacterial communities, saliva, and the dog's oral environment.

Dogs naturally use their teeth and jaws to tear, grip, and chew food. Chewing provides physical activity for the jaw muscles and can help remove some plaque through mechanical contact with tooth surfaces.

However, not all chewing activities provide the same benefits. A chew's effectiveness depends on its texture, size, shape, and how the dog uses it. A chew that contacts the larger teeth may provide little cleaning around crowded front teeth or beneath the gum line.

Appropriate chewing opportunities are part of a species-appropriate feeding approach. Raw meaty bones are one option that may provide mechanical cleaning while allowing dogs to engage in natural chewing behavior.

Research shows that certain raw bones reduce visible dental calculus in dogs. However, evidence is more limited regarding plaque beneath the gum line and long-term prevention of periodontal disease.

Supporting Dental Health With a Fresh-Food Diet

Good nutrition is an important part of your dog's overall health, including their teeth and gums. A fresh-food diet provides nutrients from minimally processed ingredients, while appropriate chewing opportunities let dogs use their teeth and jaws in ways that come naturally.

The<a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/the-six-components-of-real-food"> Real 6X Ancestral Diet™</a> is based on six components that work together to provide balanced nutrition:

Raw meaty bones are an important part of this approach. In addition to supplying calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients, chewing on appropriate bones may help remove some plaque and tartar through mechanical contact with the teeth. Chewing also provides mental enrichment and lets dogs engage in natural feeding behaviors.

Raw meaty bones come in many shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one depends on your dog's size, chewing style, experience, and dental health. Examples include chicken and duck necks, poultry wings, and other appropriately sized, meat-covered bones.

Not every bone suits every dog. Aggressive chewers may be more likely to fracture teeth, while dogs that swallow large pieces without chewing face an increased risk of choking or obstruction. Veterinary studies have documented bones becoming lodged in the esophagus, although they generally do not establish whether those bones were raw, cooked, deliberately fed, or scavenged. Raw bones may also carry harmful bacteria.

Large, hard weight-bearing bones, such as beef femurs and knuckles, are particularly concerning because they can fracture teeth. We do not recommend them as routine dental chews. Also avoid cooked, smoked, and other processed bones because they can become brittle and break into dangerous fragments.

Always supervise your dog when offering a raw meaty bone, and never leave a dog unattended with one. If your dog has dental disease, damaged teeth, or a history of swallowing food without chewing, consult your veterinarian before introducing bones.

For more information, read our guide to<a href="https://feedreal.com/articles/raw-meaty-bones-safety-and-how-to-add"> Raw Meaty Bones: Safety and How to Add Them</a>.

A fresh-food diet and appropriate chewing opportunities can support your dog's dental health, but plaque can still accumulate, particularly along and beneath the gum line. Regular toothbrushing and veterinary dental evaluations remain important for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

A healthy mouth is about more than clean teeth. Supporting your dog's oral health is another way to support their comfort, well-being, and quality of life throughout their life.

Why Are My Dog’s Teeth So Disgusting?

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